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Proper furnace care and smart purchases can help you decrease the high expenses of heating your home. That’s good news thinking about that energy bills-which are currently historically high-are anticipated to continue to climb up. In fact, a recent article in USA Today reported that house owners usually will see a 25.7 percent increase in heating costs compared to a year earlier.

To lower heating expenses, professionals say that the energy performance of your heating system is incredibly important. According to Jim Miller of Amana brand heating systems, “Homeowners don’t have much control over the cost of gas, however they can take steps to minimize the effect of home heating costs.” He provides these suggestions:

1. Have Your Furnace Checked. “If you have not currently done so this year, have a licensed HVAC professional inspect your furnace now,” Miller stressed. “He can carry out a security evaluation and tidy your heating system so that it runs as effectively as possible.”

A heater’s performance is shown by its Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency percentage, or “AFUE,” a measurement established by the U.S. Department of Energy. The higher a heater’s AFUE, the more effective it is. “Furnaces older than 15 years operate at efficiencies of approximately 60% AFUE.

“If you were to replace that 60% AFUE heater with a high-efficiency unit, such as the Amana brand AMV9 96% AFUE Variable-Speed Furnace, you would get 96 cents worth of heat for every single dollar you spend towards heating your home,” said Miller.

Due to the fact that the blowers generally need up to 75 percent less electrical power than a basic motor, he added that heating systems with a variable-speed blower are even more efficient. In addition, a heater’s blower likewise works with the house’s cooling system, meaning consumers experience increased effectiveness year-round.

3. Examine Tax Credits for High-Efficiency Furnace Purchases. Thanks to the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT), house owners who purchase furnaces with an AFUE of 95% or higher in 2006 and 2007 may qualify for a tax credit of $150. And if that furnace uses a variable-speed blower, they might get approved for an additional $50 tax credit.

Proper furnace care and wise purchases can assist you decrease the high expenses of heating your home. To decrease heating costs, specialists state that the energy effectiveness of your heater is exceptionally essential. A heater’s effectiveness is indicated by its Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency percentage, or “AFUE,” a measurement developed by the U.S. Department of Energy. Thanks to the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT), homeowners who acquire heaters with an AFUE of 95% or greater in 2006 and 2007 might certify for a tax credit of $150.